Retronauts

by Retronauts

New801: Final Fantasy IIIOctober 19, 2026 · 1 h 34 min

Episodes: 700
Released: weekly
Latest episode: Oct 19, 2026

About the podcast

The original classic gaming podcast continues its endless quest to explore the history of video games, one game at a time. Join hosts Jeremy Parish and Bob Mackey each week as they team up with a host of expert guests to chronicle the creations that have paved the way for today's hits. From forgotten black-and-white arcade machines to modern-day remakes, Retronauts spans more than four decades of vintage gaming greatness!

Episodes 700

801: Final Fantasy III
October 19, 20261 h 34 minEpisode 801
20 years and over 1000 episodes ago, Retronauts kicked off with an episode about Final Fantasy III: a classic JRPG then on the brink of its first release for Western audiences. Now, that DS remake is itself …
Show notes
20 years and over 1000 episodes ago, Retronauts kicked off with an episode about Final Fantasy III: a classic JRPG then on the brink of its first release for Western audiences. Now, that DS remake is itself retro, and we have yet another version of the game that was once denied to us for so long. But even with so many updates and upgrades to its classic formula, is this third, extremely influential Final Fantasy still worthwhile more than 35 years later? On this episode join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Brian Clark (of One Million Power) as the team reassesses this sequel and promises to dish out opinions that will be sure to sustain you until 2046.
Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the show, and get two full-length exclusive episodes every month, as well as access to 100+ previous bonus episodes, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
800: 20 Years of Retronauts
October 12, 20262 h 5 minEpisode 800
20! 800! So many big, round numbers! Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Diamond Feit, Stuart Gipp, Nadia Oxford, AND Kevin Bunch somehow crowd into the same space to contemplate the past and future of the …
Show notes
20! 800! So many big, round numbers! Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Diamond Feit, Stuart Gipp, Nadia Oxford, AND Kevin Bunch somehow crowd into the same space to contemplate the past and future of the show.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
See Us LIVE at Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2026!
October 7, 20261 minTrailer
WHAT: Our "Retronauts is Officially Retro: 20 Years of Podcasting About the Past" panel, live at PRGE 2026WHERE: Blue Auditorium (D137 & D140) at the Portland Retro Gaming ExpoWHEN: Saturday, October 10th at …
Show notes
WHAT: Our "Retronauts is Officially Retro: 20 Years of Podcasting About the Past" panel, live at PRGE 2026
WHERE: Blue Auditorium (D137 & D140) at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo

WHEN: Saturday, October 10th at 11:00am
WHO: Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Gary Butterfield, Kaye Ross
Additionally, you can catch Jeremy's solo panel "In Defense of Bad Video Games" on Sunday, October 11th at 1:00pm in the Red Auditorium, and you can see Bob and Jeremy together on the Watch Out for Fireballs panel "Are the Most Expensive Games of All Time Worth Your Time?" on Saturday, October 10th at 5:00pm in the Red Auditorium.
Please check out the official PRGE 2026 schedule for more information!
798: Resident Evil (2026)
October 5, 20261 h 21 minEpisode 798
After 24 years of disappointment, it finally happened: they made a great Resident Evil movie—which also happens to be a great regular movie. Yes, thanks to abandoning any notion of lore and tapping into the …
Show notes
After 24 years of disappointment, it finally happened: they made a great Resident Evil movie—which also happens to be a great regular movie. Yes, thanks to abandoning any notion of lore and tapping into the creative talents of director Zach Cregger, this latest adaptation of Capcom's survival horror series manages to evoke the spirit of the games, even if it lacks the iconic characters and monsters. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Stuart Gipp and Jess O'Brien (AKA Voidburger) as the crew searches the now-snowy streets of Raccoon City in search of survivors and fatherhood issues.
Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the show, and get two full-length exclusive episodes every month, as well as access to 100+ previous bonus episodes, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
797: Episode 797: Cave Story
September 28, 20261 h 52 minEpisode 797
Jeremy Parish, Diamond Feit, and Scott Sharkey link up with patron Jeff Peterson to escape the island early and bring you a discussion of indie game classic Cave Story (instead of surviving Hell).Retronauts is …
Show notes
Jeremy Parish, Diamond Feit, and Scott Sharkey link up with patron Jeff Peterson to escape the island early and bring you a discussion of indie game classic Cave Story (instead of surviving Hell).
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
795: Modern Retro: Teeto
September 21, 20261 hEpisode 795
Podcast Michael! Stuart Gipp chats with Eat Pant Games’ Mitch Duncan about their hilarious – and classic-inspired – new kiwi platform game, Teeto.Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! …
Show notes
Podcast Michael! Stuart Gipp chats with Eat Pant Games’ Mitch Duncan about their hilarious – and classic-inspired – new kiwi platform game, Teeto.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
794: The King of Fighters ’94
September 14, 20262 h 57 minEpisode 794
ＧＯＨＯＭＥＮＯＷ！！ＹＯＵＡＲＥＮＯＭＡＴＣＨＦＯＲ Diamond Feit, Kevin Bunch, Brian Clark, and Will Cuevas when it comes to discussing The King of Fighters '94. ＩＴ’ＳＧＯＩＮＧＴＯＢＥＯＵＲＣＥＮＴＵＲＹ！Retronauts is made possible by …
Show notes
ＧＯＨＯＭＥＮＯＷ！！ＹＯＵＡＲＥＮＯＭＡＴＣＨＦＯＲ Diamond Feit, Kevin Bunch, Brian Clark, and Will Cuevas when it comes to discussing The King of Fighters '94. ＩＴ’ＳＧＯＩＮＧＴＯＢＥＯＵＲＣＥＮＴＵＲＹ！
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
792: Mario 101 - Part 1
September 7, 20261 h 34 minEpisode 792
The Goomba is a mushroom. We still don't know how Bowser got his name. Doki Doki Panic began its life as a Super Mario game. Is this sheer lunacy? No! These facts are the thoroughly researched findings of one …
Show notes
The Goomba is a mushroom. We still don't know how Bowser got his name. Doki Doki Panic began its life as a Super Mario game. Is this sheer lunacy? No! These facts are the thoroughly researched findings of one Drew Mackie, who uncovered 101 Mario mind-blowers via his Mario 101 series on Thrilling Tales of Old Video Games. And on this episode, Drew is here to lead Jeremy, Bob, and Stuart through his collection of truth bombs that dispel conventional wisdom, pinpoint surprising origins, and speculate about the big questions that still don't have answers. Once you press play, reality as you know it will be changed forever.
(And check out Drew's entire Mario 101 series RIGHT HERE!)
Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the show, and get two full-length exclusive episodes every month, as well as access to 100+ previous bonus episodes, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
791: Metroid x 40: The Successors
August 31, 20262 h 18 minEpisode 791
Jeremy Parish, Diamond Feit, and Kate Willaert trek back to the starting point now that they're equipped with the skills and tool to unlock the second half of their discussion of Metroid's 40th …
Show notes
Jeremy Parish, Diamond Feit, and Kate Willaert trek back to the starting point now that they're equipped with the skills and tool to unlock the second half of their discussion of Metroid's 40th anniversary.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
790: Episode 790 Preview: Tomb Raider
August 28, 20269 minEpisode 790Trailer
You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts 790: Tomb Raider. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to …
Show notes
You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts 790: Tomb Raider. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
789: Famicom Disk System, Redux
August 24, 20262 h 10 minEpisode 789
Jeremy Parish, Kurt Kalata, and the internet's RndStranger converse with patron Ben Hamilton about the Famicom Disk System to dig up new perspectives on the influential add-on, on the (belated) occasion of its …
Show notes
Jeremy Parish, Kurt Kalata, and the internet's RndStranger converse with patron Ben Hamilton about the Famicom Disk System to dig up new perspectives on the influential add-on, on the (belated) occasion of its 40th anniversary.
788: Crash Bandicoot: The Wilderness Years, Pt. 1
August 17, 20261 h 17 minEpisode 788
Whoa! Journey into the darkest depths of the madcap marsupial Crash Bandicoot with host Stuart Gipp and guests Sean Seanson and Thomas Nickel!Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! …
Show notes
Whoa! Journey into the darkest depths of the madcap marsupial Crash Bandicoot with host Stuart Gipp and guests Sean Seanson and Thomas Nickel!
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
788: Retrogame Dreamscapes
August 10, 20261 h 27 minEpisode 788
Nadia and David Oxford talk about how dreams and dreamscapes shape stories in retro games.Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better …
Show notes
Nadia and David Oxford talk about how dreams and dreamscapes shape stories in retro games.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
785: Capcom's Barbarian Legacy
August 3, 20261 h 60 minEpisode 785
Jeremy Parish, Stuart Gipp, and Patrick Kulikowski gird their loincloths to discuss some of Capcom's deeper historic cuts: games where burly men (and ladies) smash and bash baddies.Retronauts is made possible …
Show notes
Jeremy Parish, Stuart Gipp, and Patrick Kulikowski gird their loincloths to discuss some of Capcom's deeper historic cuts: games where burly men (and ladies) smash and bash baddies.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
784: Episode 784 Preview: The Cave
July 31, 202611 minEpisode 784
You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts 784: The Cave! To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free …
Show notes
You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts 784: The Cave! To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
783: El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
July 27, 20261 h 48 minEpisode 783
Diamond Feit, Chris Sims, Benito Cerino, and Shane Bettenhausen have no problem podcasting about 2011's biblically-adjacent El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron.Retronauts is made possible by listener support …
Show notes
Diamond Feit, Chris Sims, Benito Cerino, and Shane Bettenhausen have no problem podcasting about 2011's biblically-adjacent El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
782: RCA Home Computing
July 20, 20261 h 57 minEpisode 782
Watch out for VIPers! Kevin Bunch interviews gaming pioneer Joyce Weisbecker about her father Joe’s work on the 1802 microprocessor and its role in video gaming.Retronauts is made possible by listener support …
Show notes
Watch out for VIPers! Kevin Bunch interviews gaming pioneer Joyce Weisbecker about her father Joe’s work on the 1802 microprocessor and its role in video gaming.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
780: Pac-Man Fever
July 13, 20261 h 51 minEpisode 780
In the very early '80s, the world as a whole had come down with Pac-Man fever. But this condition wasn't formally diagnosed until budding musicians Buckner & Garcia released their hit album of the same name in …
Show notes
In the very early '80s, the world as a whole had come down with Pac-Man fever. But this condition wasn't formally diagnosed until budding musicians Buckner & Garcia released their hit album of the same name in 1982. Slapped together to address the then-recent fad known as "video games," this collection of songs took pop culture by storm—but the duo behind it failed to follow up on their tribute to arcade mania. This week on Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Drew Mackie (of Thrilling Tales of Old Video Games) as the crew digs into this novelty album and learns how to Do the Donkey Kong.
Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the show, and get two full-length exclusive episodes every month, as well as access to 100+ previous bonus episodes, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
779: Guilty Gear
July 6, 20262 h 22 minEpisode 779
Heaven or Hell! Kevin Bunch, Diamond Feit, Patrick Miller and Irene Koh talk Guilty Gear, a series known for rock references, anime aesthetics and aggressive action.Retronauts is made possible by listener …
Show notes
Heaven or Hell! Kevin Bunch, Diamond Feit, Patrick Miller and Irene Koh talk Guilty Gear, a series known for rock references, anime aesthetics and aggressive action.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
777: Capcom's Platformer Legacy {’90s}
June 29, 20261 h 51 minEpisode 777
Jeremy Parish, Stuart Gipp, and Patrick Kulikowski drop another quarter into the machine to continue talking about the platform action games that Capcom developed, this time in the 1990s. Only some of them are …
Show notes
Jeremy Parish, Stuart Gipp, and Patrick Kulikowski drop another quarter into the machine to continue talking about the platform action games that Capcom developed, this time in the 1990s. Only some of them are Mega Mans!
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content—including the first part of this miniseries! Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
776: The Golden Age of Pinball
June 22, 20261 h 7 minEpisode 776
Believe it or not, in nearly 20 years of Retronauts, we've never produced an episode dedicated to pinball. And the topic has barely been mentioned in passing! While pinball isn't necessarily a "video game," it …
Show notes
Believe it or not, in nearly 20 years of Retronauts, we've never produced an episode dedicated to pinball. And the topic has barely been mentioned in passing! While pinball isn't necessarily a "video game," it shares the same spaces as arcade cabinets, and has incorporated screens with things happening on them for the past 35 years—so it's definitely within our wheelhouse. And, despite the supposed death of the silver ball, we're kind of in a mini-Renaissance right now?
This week on Retronauts, listen in and prepare to nudge the nearest machine gently as Bob Mackey and guest Andreas Bernard (author of Same Player Shoots Again: A Biography of the Pinball Machine) discuss 100 years of knockout holes, drop targets, and trying desperately not to tilt.
Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the show, and get two full-length exclusive episodes every month, as well as access to 100+ previous bonus episodes, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
774: BitSummit PUNCH
June 15, 20261 h 50 minEpisode 774
Punch Punch PUNCH: Senior Japan correspondent Diamond Feit talks to developers and reports on xer favorite sights from this year's largest-ever BitSummit indie gaming festival in Kyoto.Retronauts is made …
Show notes
Punch Punch PUNCH: Senior Japan correspondent Diamond Feit talks to developers and reports on xer favorite sights from this year's largest-ever BitSummit indie gaming festival in Kyoto.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
773: Takashi Tezuka's Retirement Party
June 8, 20261 h 15 minEpisode 773
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, and Diamond Feit grab some punch and cake as they celebrate the career of one of the most influential creators in gaming history: Nintendo's Takashi Tezuka, who retires this month …
Show notes
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, and Diamond Feit grab some punch and cake as they celebrate the career of one of the most influential creators in gaming history: Nintendo's Takashi Tezuka, who retires this month after basically inventing entire genres.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
772: Episode 772 Preview: Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie
June 5, 202612 minEpisode 772Trailer
You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts 772: Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie! To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive …
Show notes
You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts 772: Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie! To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
771: Astérix, Pt. 3
June 1, 20262 h 4 minEpisode 771
Quaff from Getafix’s cauldron of magic potion one final time with Stuart Gipp, Audi Sorlie, John Linneman and Thomas Nickel. Unless you’re Obelix.Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! …
Show notes
Quaff from Getafix’s cauldron of magic potion one final time with Stuart Gipp, Audi Sorlie, John Linneman and Thomas Nickel. Unless you’re Obelix.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
770: Touhou Project
May 25, 20261 h 33 minEpisode 770
Get your spell cards ready, as Kevin Bunch, Will Cuevas, and Lindsey Kurano discuss the vast world of the Touhou Project.Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to …
Show notes
Get your spell cards ready, as Kevin Bunch, Will Cuevas, and Lindsey Kurano discuss the vast world of the Touhou Project.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
768: Mother 3
May 18, 20261 h 51 minEpisode 768
For over a decade, its release seemed like an impossibility, but 20 years ago, Mother 3 entered our world—and then proceeded to never leave Japan. While it superficially resembles the earlier Mother games, this …
Show notes
For over a decade, its release seemed like an impossibility, but 20 years ago, Mother 3 entered our world—and then proceeded to never leave Japan. While it superficially resembles the earlier Mother games, this long-awaited sequel differs greatly in tone and structure, yet somehow delivers a satisfying (if surprising) final installment of Shigesato Itoi's beloved RPG series. On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Reid Young, Charlie Verdin, and Everdraed (all of Fangamer) as the crew turn off their Happy-Happy Boxes and sit down to discuss the Game Boy Advance game that gives new meaning to the term "tonda gossa."
Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the show, and get two full-length exclusive episodes every month, as well as access to 100+ previous bonus episodes, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
767: The Wind Waker Out of Context
May 11, 20261 h 44 minEpisode 767
With Ocarina of Time in the bag, it’s time for a belated British look at a toon-shaded titan. Stuart Gipp, Dave Bulmer and Seumidh MacDonald preside.Retronauts is made possible by listener support through …
Show notes
With Ocarina of Time in the bag, it’s time for a belated British look at a toon-shaded titan. Stuart Gipp, Dave Bulmer and Seumidh MacDonald preside.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
765: Retrogaming in Print
May 4, 20261 h 36 minEpisode 765
Jeremy Parish, Nadia Oxford, Pat Contri, and Ryan Burger discuss their respective print projects about chronicling video game history—the good, the challenging, and the weird.Retronauts is made possible by …
Show notes
Jeremy Parish, Nadia Oxford, Pat Contri, and Ryan Burger discuss their respective print projects about chronicling video game history—the good, the challenging, and the weird.
Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
764: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
April 27, 20261 h 43 minEpisode 764
The rumors are true: they made another Super Mario movie. And, as licensed podcasters, we're legally obligated to see it and report back. On this installment of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert …
Show notes
The rumors are true: they made another Super Mario movie. And, as licensed podcasters, we're legally obligated to see it and report back. On this installment of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, Stuart Gipp, Drew Mackie (from Thrilling Tales of Old Video Games), and Jess O'Brien (AKA Voidburger) as the crew uses their most powerful analytical skills to fully deconstruct a movie made for preverbal audiences. Will Illumination survive?
Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the show, and get two full-length exclusive episodes every month, as well as access to 100+ previous bonus episodes, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.